[nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?

Fri Nov 1 13:41:31 UTC 2013

Hi to all.  Reading this discussion about dog verses cane is very
interesting.  Haley like others have already said.  It is completely
up to you.  I am a cane user, and have been one all my life.  I know I
don't have the needed travel skills needed to make it worth my while
to get a guide dog.  Right now besides not being a good traveler, I
don't want to take care of a dog right now.  I have nothing against
dogs or amimals at all.  Dogs can be great.  We just got a little
puggle as a pet.  However, I know guide dogs aren't pets but workers
as well.  I haven't ruled out the possibility of getting a dog in
future now, I know it isn't right for me.  You need to do whatever you
feel is best for you.  If you get a dog, great and I hope it works out
fine, but if you stay a cane user, great as well.  I wish you the best
of luck whatever you decide.

On 11/1/13, Littlefield, Tyler <tyler at tysdomain.com> wrote:
> I'm really glad Minh pointed this out because I had totally forgotten
> it. I also got O'mally after I was already in college--my campus wasn't
> huge, but it was larger. If you are really spacial, it helps to know
> where stuff is before the dog because you will still need to be
> oriented. I just transferred to a new college with O'mally and it was a
> bit harder for me to figure stuff out sometimes--even if the campus is
> smaller. I found that taking my cane out and walking around a bit was
> really useful in getting an idea of where I am.
>
> Also Kert, for me that's one of the bonuses to a guide. If I'm learning
> a new area and need to find landmarks, you can "heel" your guide (just
> have them walk next to you and not work), and just use a cane you can
> carry around to find a specific landmark--perhaps a bench next to the
> bus stop or something. Then you can pattern your guide to find that
> specific bench. It's the best of both worlds--you evade all the stuff in
> your way while being able to tell them which specific things to find.
>
> Someone else already mentioned leashes and bowls--you will need to buy
> bowls and toys and food, the school gives you a leash. I've had O'Mally
> for about two years now and I don't really need another leash--I know of
> a lady that had about 5 guides and just kept using the same leash. A lot
> of schools also help with vet costs (if the finances are an issue with
> you, this might be something you think about when choosing a school), as
> well as flea and heartworm medications. There are other little things
> you need to do for your guide, but like I said if you have a bit of
> extra money it's well worth it. O'Mally might cost $45 a month usually
> with the random toy or something every once in a while as a bit extra.
> That's less than my phone bill--and a cost I don't really mind at all.
> On 11/1/2013 2:22 AM, minh ha wrote:
>> Haley,
>>
>> People have given you amazing advice regarding whether or not to get a
>> guide, but I just want to add that you should seriously think about
>> when would be an appropriate time for you to do so. Before entering my
>> freshman year of college last year, I was very insistent on getting a
>> guide to ease my transition to college. For various reasons, that
>> didn't work out and I am extremely glad I didn't have a dog to take
>> care of while I was struggling with adjusting to college. Freshman
>> year is really hard for most people and I don't think I could have
>> handled the stress of a dog as well as the myriad other demands of
>> campus life. That being said, I went to GDB over the summer and got my
>> first guide, Viva and she has dramatically made it easier to travel
>> around my campus and the surrounding city. Also, don't worry that youd
>> on't know how to take care of a dog; the guide dog school will give
>> you all the skills you need in order to effectively take care of your
>> guide. I only had cats before I started working with Viva.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Minh
>>
>> On 11/1/13, Kirt <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Justin,
>>> At the risk of adding fuel to the fire, Tyler has a very good point. His
>>> cane users, we can talk about canes all we want… I, for instance, don't
>>> have
>>> any qualms at all explaining why I like my cane and why it works so well
>>> for
>>> me personally that I've pretty much entirely ruled out getting a dog,
>>> though
>>> I did consider it at one time. However, I don't really think it's right
>>> for
>>> me to tell people how guide dog school's work, or what it's like using
>>> the
>>> dog, beyond perhaps relaying things I've heard from competent dog
>>> handlers
>>> and making it clear that this isn't an area with which I have any
>>> experience
>>> or expertise. Imagine if you had a coworker Who maybe was friends with a
>>> couple blind students in college or high school, and this person started
>>> telling your boss what it's like being blind, even with you in the room.
>>> Do
>>> you think that would bother you, even a little bit?
>>> Best,
>>> Kirt
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 10:43 PM, "justin williams"
>>>> <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I'm not the only cane user who has answered questions.  Mind your own
>>>> business.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>> Littlefield,
>>>> Tyler
>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 10:54 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?
>>>>
>>>> Justin:
>>>> If I remember correctly, you said you do not have a dog. If this is the
>>>> case, please refrane from answering questions when you have had no
>>>> experience. She is already confused enough as is--random input from
>>>> people
>>>> with lack of said experience isn't helpful.
>>>>
>>>> Haley, the school will indeed teach you some of what you need to know.
>>>> A
>>>> lot of it though comes from time with your dog and experience. The
>>>> schools
>>>> usually also have support lines and there are lists where you can ask
>>>> those random questions that pop up--undoubtedly there will always be
>>>> someone who can help out and you'll have your support center.
>>>>
>>>> I also wanted to mention since I forgot to in my last post that a guide
>>>> dog is by no means a replacement for a cane. You will still need good
>>>> mobility skills in order to utilize a good dog. Just wanted to mention
>>>> that is all--I'm sure you already figured that out.
>>>>
>>>> HTH,
>>>>> On 10/31/2013 10:33 PM, justin williams wrote:
>>>>> The school will teach you everything you need to no.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Haley
>>>>> Sumner
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 10:32 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Cc: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and why?
>>>>>
>>>>> I love dogs, but have never had one of my own. So I have to learn
>>>>> everything in order to independently take care of the dog on top of
>>>>> all
>>>>> of the stress. I'm trying to weigh all of the positives and negatives
>>>>> to
>>>>> see what is best for me.  Thanks for all of your suggestions :-) are
>>>>> there any guide dog lists that I could join?
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 9:28 PM, "justin williams"
>>>>>> <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There is no one way that is superior.  I am a cane user, and I don’t
>>>>>> know if I will get a dog or not.  At this time, I don't have the
>>>>>> extra
>>>>>> funds to feed and care for it.  I could adapt to using one just fine,
>>>>>> but the cane ain't broke, so why fix it at least for right now.   The
>>>>>> question I have for you is, are you an individual who would like a
>>>>>> dog
>>>>>> as a travel buddy, companion and friend?  They are wonderful, and if
>>>>>> handled skillfully, are great at their job and are a wonderful
>>>>>> addition
>>>>>> to the life or their owner.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kirt
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 9:03 PM
>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Guide Dog or Cane? Which do u recommend and
>>>>>> why?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Haley, I am the cane user and, while I have not ever experienced a
>>>>>> guy
>>>>>> dog, i'm pretty convinced that I'll stick with my cane for the rest
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> my life unless something drastic happens to change my mind. It just
>>>>>> works very well for me… And, you know that saying about if it ain't
>>>>>> broke then why fix it? That being said, I don't think either method
>>>>>> of
>>>>>> travel is inherently better than the other, it's entirely a matter of
>>>>>> personal preference and style. That being said, I would strongly
>>>>>> suggest
>>>>>> that you have good travel skills and are competent with the cane
>>>>>> before
>>>>>> you even consider getting a dog. Again, canes x are not superior to
>>>>>> dogs
>>>>>> in and of themselves… but the majority of people I know get dogs do
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> because their travel skills are not up to par and, like it or not, I
>>>>>> dog
>>>>>> probably won't fix that problem. I would strongly encourage you to
>>>>>> get
>>>>>> quality training with the structured discovery travel method and then
>>>>>> decide what works best for you at that point. If that happens to be a
>>>>>> dog instead of a cane for the majority of your travel, more power to
>>>>>> you. Just make sure you are a competent traveler before you make that
>>>>>> decision.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 6:05 PM, haley sumner
>>>>>>> <haleysumner at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hello fellow Nabsters,
>>>>>>> I am in the process of deciding whether or not to get a guide dog in
>>>>>>> about a year and a half, right before I go to college, and am still
>>>>>>> unsure whether i should go through with this or just stick with the
>>>>>>> cane. What do you all recommend? Which do you feel is better
>>>>>>> travel-wise, social-wise, etc. I am looking forward to hearing about
>>>>>>> your experiences and preferences.
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>> Haley Sumner
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Take care,
>>>> Ty
>>>> http://tds-solutions.net
>>>> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he
>>>> that dares not reason is a slave.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> Take care,
> Ty
> http://tds-solutions.net
> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that
> dares not reason is a slave.
>
>
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